By FEMI OYEWALE
For the past few weeks, an online storm has been stirred by a sensational report alleging financial links between former Chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd.), and certain terror suspects. But as more security analysts, military insiders, and policy observers examine the claims, one conclusion continues to stand out:
The allegations simply do not align with Buratai’s track record, the facts on the ground, or the history behind the source making the accusations.
1. A General Defined by Results, Not Rumours
When Buratai took over as Chief of Army Staff in 2015, Nigeria was grappling with one of the most dangerous phases of the Boko Haram insurgency. Within months, the narrative began to shift:
Boko Haram—which once hoisted its flags across several local governments—lost territorial control.
The Nigerian Army under his command recaptured over 20 communities previously overrun by terrorists.
Supply routes were restored, internally displaced persons began returning home, and key towns like Bama, Gwoza, Monguno, and Dikwa came back under government authority.
The dreaded Sambisa Forest saw unprecedented military pressure, culminating in operations that broke the insurgents’ logistical backbone.
These achievements were not theoretical; they were verifiable, observable, and globally acknowledged.
So, the idea that the same military leader who dedicated his tenure to dismantling terror structures would simultaneously be “financing” the very networks he risked his life to defeat—defies logic, military culture, and national security realities.
2. Timing, Tone, and Tactics: Why the Claims Raise Eyebrows
The controversial report came from Sahara Reporters, a platform whose style of journalism has long been criticised for sensationalism, politically-motivated framing, and frequent inaccuracies in high-profile cases.
Over the years, several of its most explosive headlines have later collapsed under scrutiny:
Stories based on anonymous sources that were later discredited
Allegations that never aligned with official investigations
Publications later withdrawn or contradicted by law enforcement findings
The recurring pattern has sparked public debates about the outlet’s editorial motives and the possibility of politically-driven storylines aimed at specific individuals.
Some analysts argue that Buratai’s name offers guaranteed traffic—a factor that thrives in the era of click-economy journalism.
3. No National Security Agency Has Confirmed the Claims
Despite the noise across social media, no credible security institution in Nigeria—not the DSS, not the NPF, not the NSA’s office—has validated the allegations.
In fact, security officials have repeatedly emphasised that:
Terror financing accusations undergo long, forensic, multinational investigations, not gossip.
Such operations require solid financial trails—bank logs, transactional evidence, international cooperation.
None of these have been presented publicly or verified.
Instead, what exists is a media article built on unnamed sources, without any government confirmation, court filings, or legal indictments.
In an era where national security issues are sensitive and deeply complex, such unverified allegations carry consequences and should not be taken at face value.
4. A Target of Repeated Campaigns
Buratai has been a consistent subject of targeted reports by Sahara Reporters—many of which have previously been challenged or debunked.
Observers note several possibilities:
Political grudges arising from the military’s past anti-corruption stance
Factions unhappy with his reforms in the Army
Attempts to smear former service chiefs for ideological or partisan reasons
Power bloc battles ahead of future political alignments
Whatever the motive, the pattern is unmistakable:
when it comes to Buratai, sensational claims seem to surface without credible substantiation.
5. Service, Sacrifice, and a Record That Speaks Louder Than Rumours
Throughout his career, Buratai has been known for:
His frontline presence during operations
His push for enhanced military welfare
Strengthening civil-military cooperation
Modernizing combat equipment
Increasing international partnership on counterterrorism
His post-service appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador further signals the confidence successive governments placed in his loyalty and competence.
For a man who spent decades risking his life to combat insurgency, the narrative that he would undermine national security is inconsistent with documented history.
Rumours Are Loud—but Facts Are Louder
The allegations may generate online buzz, but when weighed against:
Buratai’s proven leadership in the war against insurgency
The lack of verified evidence
The source’s reputation for sensationalism
His longstanding commitment to national security
…it becomes increasingly clear why experts dismiss the claims as unfounded, illogical, and inconsistent with Nigeria’s counterterrorism realities.
Until credible evidence emerges—if ever—it remains what many analysts call it:
A political smear attempt packaged as journalism.
FEMI OYEWALE is the publisher of Sahara weekly magazine and sahara online. He is also the president of NASRE
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